Amber Sherlock: Age Discrimination Case and Career Update

Amber Sherlock spent 18 years as a familiar face on Nine Network, but in November 2025 that role was eliminated as part of the broadcaster’s $100 million cost-cutting program. Now she’s fighting back, alleging she was singled out because of her age and sex — and the case is already generating headlines across Australia’s media landscape.

Age: 49 · Years at Nine Network: 18 · Primary role: Weather presenter · Year of redundancy: 2025

Six key facts about Amber Sherlock’s career and personal life — drawn from court filings, industry reports, and biographical records:

Why did Amber Sherlock leave Channel 9?

In November 2025, Nine Network made the dedicated 6pm weather presenter role for 9News Sydney redundant (Mediaweek). Amber Sherlock, then 49 and three weeks shy of her 50th birthday, was told by news director Michael Best on November 10 that her position was being eliminated. The redundancy was part of Nine’s wider $100 million cost-out program, which shed about 50 roles across streaming and broadcast divisions (Mumbrella).

Sherlock claims that just months earlier — around August to September 2025 — she was assured her job was safe. That conversation allegedly took place at BarLume cafe inside Nine’s Sydney headquarters (Mediaweek). When the ax fell, she says Nine redeployed other presenters at least 10 years younger to cover weather segments, including Maggie Rayworth, Kate Creedon, and Sophie Walsh (Mediaweek).

The network has denied discriminating against Sherlock on any basis, including age or sex, and says several reporters and presenters have since handled the 6pm weather slot while managing other duties (Mediaweek). On March 9, 2026, Sherlock lodged a statement of claim in the Federal Court under the general protections provisions of the Fair Work Act (Mediaweek). She is reportedly seeking $293,154 for economic loss, $100,000 in general damages for hurt to reputation and career, and $30,000 for each alleged contravention of the Fair Work Act (Mediaweek).

The pattern: Sherlock’s filings characterize the alleged conduct as targeting an “almost 50-year-old woman,” blending age and gender into a single claim. The case is ongoing as of mid-2026.

What is Amber Sherlock doing now?

Since leaving Nine, Sherlock has repositioned herself as a multi-platform media personality. She co-founded the drink brand Chica (Wikipedia), hosts a podcast, and takes on MC and ambassador roles. Her Instagram and LinkedIn profiles show active engagement with brand partnerships and travel writing, though she has not returned to a regular broadcasting role at a major network.

Sherlock also continues to pursue her legal claim, which limits her availability for traditional employment. She has not announced any ongoing contract with a television station.

The implication: Sherlock’s post-Nine trajectory shows a deliberate pivot to independent media and commerce. Without a network anchor role, her income now depends on the outcome of her legal case and the growth of her own ventures.

Who is Amber Sherlock’s husband?

Amber Sherlock is married to Ben Sharples, a journalist who, like Sherlock, grew up in the Sydney media scene. The couple have been together for many years and continue to live in Sydney (Wikipedia). There are no public reports of separation or divorce.

Sharples works in journalism and is a familiar name within Australian media circles, though he generally keeps a lower public profile than his wife. Their marriage has been a constant throughout Sherlock’s career shifts.

Why this matters: In legal filings, Sherlock’s personal stability contrasts with the disruption Nine’s redundancy caused to her professional identity. Her husband’s background as a journalist adds an inside-industry perspective to her case.

What is Amber Sherlock’s background?

Born Amber Simone Higlett, Sherlock began her television career at Nine Network in 2007 (Mumbrella). She became the inaugural news presenter for Weekend TODAY and later presented the Nine Morning News and weather segments. For 14 years she anchored the 9News Sydney weekday weather slot, becoming one of the most recognizable faces in NSW evening news (Mediaweek).

Before her on-air roles, Sherlock worked in finance and business news within the network. Her 18-year tenure covered multiple formats: news, finance, weather, and lifestyle. She turned 49 in 2025 (Mediaweek).

The trade-off: Sherlock’s long service at a single network gave her deep audience loyalty but left her exposed when the broadcaster prioritized cost cutting over seniority. Unlike younger presenters who moved between networks, she built her career entirely within Nine’s walls.

What is Amber Sherlock’s net worth?

Amber Sherlock’s net worth is not publicly documented. Her salary at Nine was never officially disclosed, though industry estimates from her final years as lead weather presenter would have placed it in the mid-six-figure range. Since redundancy, her income has come from media appearances, brand partnerships, and her share in the drink brand Chica (Wikipedia).

Her legal claim explicitly seeks $293,154 in economic loss, which gives a rough indication of what she argues she lost from the redundancy (Mediaweek). That figure likely represents lost salary and superannuation for a defined period. Her post-Nine income stream remains unquantified.

The catch: Without public accounts or a network contract, any net worth figure would be speculative. Sherlock’s financial future, like her career, now hinges on the Federal Court’s decision.

Timeline

• 2007: Amber Sherlock joins Nine Network.
• 2007–2025: Holds various presenting roles — Weekend TODAY, Nine Morning News, finance, weather.
• August–September 2025: Reportedly told her job was safe in a conversation at BarLume cafe.
• November 10, 2025: News director Michael Best tells Sherlock her role is redundant (Mediaweek).
• November 2025: Redundancy confirmed within Nine’s $100 million cost-out program (Mumbrella).
• March 9, 2026: Sherlock files statement of claim in Federal Court (Mediaweek).
• 2026: Case ongoing; public filings appear in AFR and TVTonight.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Amber Sherlock’s age is 49 (Mediaweek).
• She spent 18 years at Nine Network (Mumbrella).
• She was made redundant in November 2025 (Mediaweek).
• She is married to Ben Sharples (Wikipedia).
• She co-founded drink brand Chica (Wikipedia).

What’s unclear

• The exact reason for redundancy (disputed).
• Her net worth and salary.
• Outcome of the legal dispute.
• Whether “Rowdy” refers to a pet or spouse.

What this means: The gaps in public information underscore how much of Sherlock’s financial and professional future remains unresolved while her discrimination claim proceeds.

Key statements from the case

“Nine says Sherlock was counselled over communications with colleagues.”

— Nine Network spokesperson, as reported by Mediaweek

“Sherlock claims her duties were given to younger presenters Maggie Rayworth, Kate Creedon, and Sophie Walsh.”

— Amber Sherlock (via legal filings), as reported by Mediaweek

For the Australian media industry, the outcome of Sherlock’s Federal Court claim will be watched closely. If she succeeds, it may force broadcasters to reconsider how they manage restructures when age and gender are factors. If she loses, it could reinforce the message that on-air talent have little job security in the era of streaming and cost cutting.

Frequently asked questions

The upshot: These FAQs highlight the mix of confirmed biographical data and persistent uncertainties around Sherlock’s career and legal situation.

Related reading

• Sarah Ferguson Journalist: Bio, Health, Husband, Age & Career — another prominent Australian media personality.
• Basil Zempilas: Biography, Political Career, and Key Facts — a broadcaster turned politician in Western Australia.